Sam won't risk Barton

01 October 2007 07:21

Newcastle United manager Sam Allardyce will not rush Joey Barton or Damien Duff back to first-team action.
Neither player has featured in Allardyce's plans so far this season because of injury, and there is no immediate prospect of either player returning to the fray.
Barton is continuing to recover from the broken bone in his foot he suffered during a pre-season friendly at Carlisle United in late July, but there has been a suggestion that he could feature in Sunday's Premier League clash with Everton.
However, former Bolton boss Allardyce told United's official website: "It's important that we don't get this hysteria in the media that he'll be back next week because he will not.
"He needs four games under his belt before I would consider throwing him back in unless there is an injury crisis, which we are in a bit of a one at the moment.
"But I'm not prepared to rush Joey Barton or Damien Duff back although I'm looking forward to getting them back when they are ready."